Chapter 3: Reawakening
The moment Jeong Ye-na gave him her number, Lee Seojun rushed to find a taxi stand. Luckily, he caught one right away and headed straight to the hospital. Having received his daily pay in cash, his wallet felt nicely full. Pride swelled in his chest, though the sudden stroke of luck also carried a hint of fear.
"Thank you!"
After paying the driver, he dashed into the hospital lobby. The sharp scent of alcohol disinfectant hit his nose, as familiar as ever. Patients and doctors hurried by, looking as busy as always. Posters on the walls featured a smiling C-rank healer, plastered everywhere for promotional purposes.
There was no need to stop at the reception desk. How many times had he turned away in despair before his regression? Tension made his heart thrum wildly. It had been years since he'd seen his mother alive. Her funeral felt like it was just a few years ago in his previous life.
Entering the hospital room, he found his mother lying there, unconscious and frail. She looked gaunt and utterly exhausted. He approached slowly, grasping her hand and praying desperately. Please, save my mom—my only family.
Would you like to use the Purifying Light skill?
A notification popped up before his eyes. Without hesitation, Seojun nodded. This time it wasn't Heal, but Purifying Light—he was certain it would help. A soothing blue glow began to emanate, calming his heart just by looking at it. The light extended from his hand and was absorbed into his mother's body in an instant.
Watching her slowly open her eyes brought tears to his own. As her eyelids lifted, his spirits rose in tandem. She gazed at him with a faint smile.
Her lips trembled for a moment before she managed to speak. "Son, you're here. Don't cry. It makes Mommy sad."
In that instant, Seojun realized he'd truly gained miraculous powers. Yes. I've really become a healer.
First, he called the doctor and nurses for an examination. They marveled at the miracle but eyed him suspiciously. Seojun just played dumb. Still, this incident was sure to be reported to the media or the Hunter Association.
Excusing himself to the bathroom, he stepped out and sorted through his thoughts. No need for an association test—he was 100% a high-rank awakener.
"...System."
He glanced around and murmured softly. The expected window appeared, filling him with relief. I really awakened properly this time.
Heal: Perfectly recovers the target's injuries.
Guardian Angel: Designates and protects a target. Become their guardian angel.
Purifying Light: Removes all status ailments.
Holy Faith: Boosts allies' abilities based on their trust in you.
He rubbed his eyes and double-checked. Blinking several times, he read it slowly again. S-rank?! Was this real? Even B-rank meant a yearly salary in the hundreds of millions. A-rankers were rare enough, counted on one hand. S-rank? That was god-tier.
There were only about 80 healing-type hunters in Korea, and an S-rank healer among them? The value was beyond his wildest dreams—beyond even winning the lottery. It might even change the world's balance of power.
"Seojun."
"...Yes?"
A deep voice calling his name startled him. He spun around to see a kindly middle-aged man smiling warmly.
"Ah, hello."
This was the pastor from the church he'd attended as a child with his mother. A handsome middle-aged man popular with the female parishioners. In a world shattered by monsters, religion had become an essential evil. They'd chosen this church carefully amid the flood of cults.
Raising a child alone after losing her husband wasn't easy, especially when families like theirs were commonplace. In his distant childhood memories, their home had collapsed in a great disaster, and the church had aided the refugees.
"I happened to be nearby and stopped in."
The pastor smiled gently. Seojun nodded vaguely.
"I heard your mother miraculously woke up and is fully healed..."
"...Yes."
"That's wonderful. It must all be part of a greater plan."
Come to think of it, they'd received material help from him too. In their desperate early days, he'd given them an envelope thick with cash, putting out the immediate fires. He sometimes acted like a father figure, which Seojun appreciated despite the awkwardness.
The pastor patted his shoulder with a thick hand. It felt strangely off after so long.
"Ah, thank you."
"It's been ages since I saw you—I'm just glad to see you like this."
"Yes. See you next time, Pastor."
"...Sure. I'll be waiting. Come anytime."
The pastor smiled warmly, eyes crinkling, then turned away. Seojun headed back to his mother's room. It was too late for discharge today, so they'd do it tomorrow. He soothed her apologies for all the trouble and shared the stories they'd missed. There was plenty he'd wanted to say before.
Unable to hold back, he told her about his awakening. She might have already suspected. Hearing she now had an S-rank healer son, she fell silent for a moment. When he asked if she was happy, her voice, wet with tears, repeated, "I'm sorry for making you suffer."
It hurts my son.
"Rest well for now. I'll come early tomorrow."
"Okay. You rest too, my boy."
He gently stroked her hand in farewell. Stepping out, the fresh air against his skin felt invigorating.
Entering the restaurant from Jeong Ye-na's text, he was greeted by rowdy hunters drinking noisily. Porters huddled outside, grilling meat enthusiastically. The savory aroma teased his stomach, accompanied by the clink of soju glasses. It was chaotic yet nostalgically familiar.
"Oh my, Seojun's here?"
A familiar voice called from afar—the auntie who'd shared jerky earlier.
"Yes."
He quickly took the last empty seat among the porters. As he sat, she grinned slyly and poured him soju.
"First drink since joining the party, right?"
"Ahh."
"Young folks like you can really hold it."
The atmosphere was so warm and lively. Downing the shot, they burst into laughter, getting even more excited.
"Mr. Seojun."
A young female hunter with yellow-dyed blonde hair called him. At least she wasn't tanned.
"Come sit over here."
The mood chilled slightly. Everyone stared as she beckoned. Even the auntie's smiling face stiffened. Seojun stood.
"Sit here and pour me a drink."
She pulled him beside her, her hand stroking his thigh slyly. Her intentions were obvious.
"Excuse me."
Before he could speak, Jeong Ye-na raised her voice from across the table. The blonde shot her a fierce glare.
"Haha, it's fine. I'll pour for you."
To lighten the mood, he quickly filled the blonde's glass. Glug glug. Pleased by his compliance, she downed it with a laugh. He shot Ye-na a reassuring glance and smile—fighting here would just hurt your image. She clenched her fist, but it touched him that she'd stepped up for him.
"So, does Seojun have a girlfriend?"
The blonde poked his thigh, grinning.
What if I do? What if I don't?
"Seojun's so handsome, huh?" her friend teased, prompting annoyed huffs from her side.
"No way. Someone like me is fine, right? I'm experienced, and a B-rank hunter."
"Ah, I see. Impressive."
She puffed up as he looked at her, but he felt no interest. His vague answers to her questions left her increasingly flustered, which was amusing. In the old days, he'd have groveled before a B-rank. The mood soured further, perhaps because of him. As the guild leader started to rise—
Ding-a-ling.
The bell at the door chimed, signaling a new customer.
"You're here? Ga-young, over here!"
The Baldi Guild leader called out cheerfully. A bad feeling stirred. No way. It can't be. The familiar name shook him. His heart pounded wildly. Trembling, he turned slightly.
It must be a coincidence. Same name.
"Calling me for something important, and it's just a company dinner?"
"What's wrong with that? Loosen up, miss, have a drink."
Light brown hair and refined features came into view. Even smiling, she exuded cold elegance. Her subtle luxury brands screamed old money. Baldi Guild seemed decent now, but they'd later be exposed for crimes and murders. Why was their leader chummy with his ex-wife?
Instinctively, he shrank back. He lacked the courage to face her yet.
"Huh?"
But in that moment—his ex-wife, Kang Ga-young, met his eyes.